Angela Chong
While some people tend to assess the overall loyalty of the film “Fatima” to the original story, which has been told and retold countless times, I am particularly impressed by the description of Lucia’s predicament as she is seemingly torn between two mothers, the Heavenly Mother and her biological mother.
The story weaves through the upheavals in the lives of the three Portuguese shepherd children, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco. The village folk are incredulous that they have seen visions of the Virgin Mary, deeming that they have been haunted by a devil instead. While there are officials very eager to prove them liars, the Bishops also try to make them recant the story. What is most tormenting is that even Lucia’s mother blames her for causing disruption at a time when people are already saddened by news about soldiers killed or found missing from the army, among whom there is Lucia’s brother. Imagine the suffering all these accusations have inflicted on the ten-year-old! In fact, at scattered moments of the movie, Lucia, now a reverend sister in her old age, is seen talking with a nonbeliever about her failure in following her mother’s will. How is the mother-daughter relationship affected by the Marian apparition? Has Lucia been drawn away from her own mother because of her encounters with the Holy Mother?
This reminds me of Jesus’ words: “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; … they will be divided, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother” (Luke 12:51,53). This implies that when we decide to follow Jesus, we should be prepared for a path strewn with thorns; our Christian faith may not meet with our family’s approval. Can we stand up for our belief as Lucia has done?
Lucia is indeed a living proof of her steadfast faith. In spite of the oppositions and accusations imposed on her, she insists on the truthfulness of her encounters with Our Lady. Much inspired by her experience, I reflect on my own Christian faith. Will my faith stand firm in the face of oppression? Will I still insist on my mission of bearing witness for Jesus? Even though our city is blessed with freedom of religion at present, there are people who doubt about our faith and even deem our church activities superstitious practices. Will I strive hard to prove to others that Jesus, whom we are following, is the Way, the Truth and the Life?
And the movie has also focused on the power of prayer. In her eagerness to assure others of her truthfulness, Lucia has once resorted to self-torture. But it is constant prayer, instead, that Our Lady wants from her. Lucia’s father, who has been frustrated repeatedly by sad things happening to him, is blessed with his wife’s recovery as a result of his prayer with Lucia. The other villagers have been urging Lucia to help them see Our Lady. But it is only when they are brought to their knees in earnest prayer that they finally witness the Miracle of the Sun.
It is not known whether the producer of the movie is a Christian. But one thing I am sure of is that it tells a true story and that it inspires the audience, believers and nonbelievers alike, that the Virgin Mary did appear to the three shepherd children in Fatima in 1917 and that we should be dedicated to daily recitation of the Rosary as recommended by Her.
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